How to Train Your Dragon

These chapters further develop the theme of Breaking Tradition: Ingenuity in Leadership. Hiccup’s most defining moment as a character occurs after Stoick announces his exile. When Hiccup condemns his father’s self-pity, he does several things in one action. First, he has not spoken in anger before this moment. Even during the dragon raid mutiny at the beginning of the book, Hiccup quietly allowed Snotlout to assume command. By arguing with his father, Hiccup becomes a bolder, more powerful character. This elevated status brings him slightly more in line with the Hooligans’ values. In tandem, he condemns his entire society’s rules and beliefs, which sets him even more apart from them. As the future chief, Hiccup casts doubt on the tribe’s current leadership by going against Stoick. Since Stoick spends the night in guilt and eventually decides to reverse his decision, Hiccup’s actions begin the change in leadership predicted by his grandfather. Furthermore, because the other boys have been exiled as well, speaking out against his father rallies the youth of both tribes behind him as leader. Even the Meatheads’ heir Thuggory places his entire faith and respect in Hiccup as leader. The fact that this token comes from their rival clan further shows the effect Hiccup has as a uniter, a quality that Medieval literature often praises in a strong king.

The theme of The Underdog’s Triumph: “Size Is All Relative” comes to the fore. The entire book to this point has prepared Hiccup to be the sole Viking capable of facing the Sea Dragon, and Old Wrinkly’s predictions seemingly start to come true: The strategy of size and strength fails the tribes, and they turn to Hiccup, who alone can stand in the dragon’s presence without running. The Green Death trembles when Hiccup gives his name, and though Cowell doesn’t give an explanation, the echoes of Wrinkly’s prophecy suggest that the mighty dragon also knows something about destiny and fate.

The conversation with the dragon provides two insights. First, the Green Death has a far more informed concept of size than the Vikings. He understands that everything is food for something else, and that one day he too will be devoured by worms. This worldview emphasizes the futility of the Viking’s size-based pursuits. The conversation also provides Hiccup with temptation—a monomythic requirement of the hero’s journey. The fact that Hiccup doesn’t appear to consider entertaining the dragon with his problems to prolong his life suggests that he has all the qualities necessary for success, highlighting the theme of A Hero’s Coming-of-Age Journey.

Chapter 13 contrasts the adults and the boys, subsequently highlighting the sociocultural change to come. The adults are stymied by their behavior, looking backward to the flaws in Professor Yobbish’s advice. In planning to write an angry letter to him, the adults’ logic appears comical and flawed considering that without a plan, the Green Death will kill them all. The boys, however, don’t dwell on the past and immediately try to come up with a new plan. They can think forward, and failure doesn’t block them from proceeding.

Several aspects of Old Wrinkly’s prophecy from earlier also pay off in this chapter. The Vikings’ reliance on violence clearly fails them, and the lack of productive discussion shows they have nothing else to fall back on. The Berk Vikings desperately need a change in leadership style, and the outcome of this moment hinges on whether they can change in time. Thuggory’s overwhelming show of support for Hiccup reflects Old Wrinkly’s suggestion that the new leader needs to bring people together. As son of Chief Mogadon, Thuggory represents the Meatheads’ leadership, and treating Hiccup with such respect indicates the rivalry between the tribes could come to an end.